Glove dispensing cartridge, dispensing apparatus and method for use thereof

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for receiving a plurality of adjacent, aligned, disposable gloves is described, the cartridge comprising a base; and a first element being arranged in use for alignment of the finger portions of the plurality of gloves. Furthermore, a machine arranged for dispensing a disposable glove is described, the machine comprising: an articulated arm arranged in use for contacting and retaining a first part of the glove and for moving said glove from a first position in which the glove is located in a cartridge containing one or more gloves, to a second position in which a second part of the said glove is able to be contacted with and retained by an anchoring means to open the cuff to allow a user to don the glove.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a design of a cartridge for holdingdisposable gloves, and to glove dispensing apparatus, and to methods foruse of the dispensing apparatus for fitting disposable gloves to thehands of a user in a hygienic manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The use of disposable gloves is common in many industries, such as foodhandling establishments where food such as sandwiches or the like may beprepared and sold to a customer, or other open food products such asmeats are selected from a tray and wrapped for a customer to purchase.The use of such gloves is intended to improve hygiene and prevent thespread of germs which may take place if such food products are handledby bare hands. In other applications, disposable gloves are used bypersons working in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, forexample persons performing surgery, or doing medical research, whereeliminating contamination (or cross-contamination) is paramount.

Disposable gloves are commonly sold in a box. A user pulls the glovesfrom an opening in the top of the box and subsequently applies them byhand. This requires the user to have significant contact with theexterior of the gloves prior to, and during, application of the gloves.As such, the outer surface of the glove can become contaminated withbacteria, dirt and/or other unwanted material present on the user'shands. In such situations, the person cannot simply pick up and ‘pullon’ some gloves using their hands, and expect that there will be notransfer of their own bacteria onto the exterior of the gloves which areintended for sterile use. Often more than one glove is removed at thesame time from the box of new gloves, thereby creating waste.Additionally the process of putting on such gloves is slow.

An automated glove dispensing machine has been proposed in InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/AU2008/001377 in the name of the presentapplicant. The machine includes a compartment for storing a roll ofdispensable gloves, a moveable indexing arrangement for drawing a lineof the gloves from the roll to a hand insertion station of the machine,and a glove opening device for opening the end glove of the line forinsertion of a user's hand at the hand insertion station. The roll ofgloves comprises a series of panels each comprising a disposable glove,where consecutive ones of the panels are joined together by a frangibleconnection. In use, the frangible connection is torn to separate theglove from the line as the user withdraws their hand from the handinsertion station.

However, it has become apparent that applications exist where adispenser of freely separated, disposable gloves which are not frangiblyjoined to one another, and there is no possible contact between theexterior of a user's hand and the gloves located in the dispenser.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided a cartridge for receiving aplurality of adjacent, aligned, disposable gloves, the cartridgecomprising: a base; and a first element being arranged in use foralignment of the finger portions of the said plurality of gloves.

In some embodiments, the first element comprises one or more elongatestrips, the or each strip being located in use between any two adjacentfingers of the respective glove(s). In one form, the first elementcomprises two elongate strips, each strip being located in use betweentwo different adjacent fingers of respective glove.

In some embodiments, the or each elongate strip forms a part of thebase, having frangible connections along two sides of the strip, whereinin use the or each strip is able to be hingedly deployed to extend froma remainder of the base once said frangible connections are broken, thestrip(s) hingedly joined to the remainder of the base at one end of saidstrip(s). In some embodiments, the one or more elongate strips are of apre-determined height at least equivalent to the maximum depth of theadjacent, aligned glove(s) when stacked on the base of the cartridge inuse.

In some embodiments, the cartridge further comprises a second elementarranged in use for alignment of a first portion of each of the saidplurality of gloves.

In one form, the first portion of the said glove(s) is an open end ofthe glove(s), distal from the finger portions of the glove(s). In oneparticular embodiment, the second element comprises two raised portions,spaced apart from one another, and between which the respective open endof the or each glove is placed in use. In one form, the two raisedportions are spaced apart by a length being generally the width of theopen end of the glove(s). In some embodiments, the two raised portionsextend from the base and are of a pre-determined height at leastequivalent to the maximum depth of the adjacent, aligned glove(s) whenstacked on the base of the cartridge in use.

In another form, the first portion of the said glove(s) is one or bothof the left and right side edges of the glove(s) when laid flat. In oneparticular embodiment, the second element comprises two raised portions,spaced apart from one another by a length being generally the widthbetween the left and right side edges of the glove(s) when laid flat. Insome embodiments, the two raised portions extend from the base and areof a pre-determined height at least equivalent to the maximum depth ofthe adjacent, aligned glove(s) when stacked on the base of the cartridgein use.

In some embodiments, the cartridge is arranged in use to be received ina closure. In one form, the closure is a lidded box, sized so as toreceive the base, and the first element when in the deployed position.In one particular embodiment, the base is arranged to be slidinglyreceived into the closure. In an alternative embodiment, the cartridgeforms part of a closure. In one form, the closure is a lidded box whichincludes the base, and sized to contain the first element when in thedeployed position.

In a second aspect there is provided, in combination, a cartridge and aclosure as defined in the first aspect, and a quantity of disposablegloves.

In a third aspect there is provided a method of positioning a pluralityof adjacent, aligned, disposable gloves in a cartridge and above a basethereof, the method comprising the step of positioning each glove suchthat a finger portion is aligned in a proximal relationship with a firstelement of the cartridge, such that each respective glove is aligned ina stacked manner with an adjacent glove in the cartridge.

In some embodiments, the first element comprises one or more elongatestrips, and the method comprises the step of locating the or each stripbetween any two adjacent fingers of the respective glove(s).

In some embodiments, the or each elongate strip is formed from a part ofthe base by the steps of breaking frangible connections arranged alongtwo sides of said strip(s), and then hingedly deploying the strip(s) toextend from a remainder of the base by moving said strip(s) about an endthereof which is joined to the remainder of the base.

In some embodiments, the method comprises the step of locating one stripbetween two adjacent fingers of the or each respective glove, whilesimultaneously locating a second strip between a different two adjacentfingers of the or each respective glove. In some other embodiments, themethod comprises the step of locating one strip between two adjacentfingers of the or each respective glove, while simultaneously locating asecond strip between one of the said two adjacent fingers and a thirdfinger of the or each respective glove.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step ofpositioning each glove such that a first portion of the glove is alignedwith a second element of the cartridge; and wherein each respectiveglove is aligned in a stacked manner with an adjacent glove in thecartridge by its proximal relationship to the first and second elements.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the said glove(s) is an openend of the glove(s), distal from the finger portion of the glove(s). Inone form, the second element comprises two raised portions which extendfrom the base, and are spaced apart from one another by a length beinggenerally the width of the open end of the glove(s), and the methodcomprises the step of placing the respective first portion of theglove(s) between the two raised portions.

In some other embodiments, the first portion of the said glove(s) is oneor both of the left and right side edges of the glove(s) when laid flat.In some embodiments, the second element comprises two raised portionswhich extend from the base, and are spaced apart from one another by alength being generally the width of between the left and right sideedges of the glove(s) when laid flat, and the method comprises the stepof placing the respective glove(s) between the two raised portions.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of eitherlocating the cartridge in a closure, or forming a closure around thecartridge if the cartridge itself forms a part of a closure. In someembodiments, the method further comprises the step of sealing theclosure.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a cartridge for receiving aplurality of adjacent, aligned, disposable gloves, the cartridgecomprising: a base; and a first element being arranged in use foralignment of a first portion of each of the said plurality of gloves.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the said glove(s) is an openend of the glove(s), distal from the or each finger portions of theglove(s). In one embodiment, the first element comprises two raisedportions, spaced apart from one another, and between which therespective open end of the or each glove is placed in use. In one form,the two raised portions are spaced apart by a length being generally thewidth of the open end of the glove(s). In some embodiments, the tworaised portions extend from the base and are of a pre-determined heightat least equivalent to the maximum depth of the adjacent, aligned gloveswhen stacked on the base of the cartridge in use.

In some other embodiments, the first portion of the said glove(s) is oneor both of the left side and right side edges of the glove(s) when laidflat. In one embodiment, the first element comprises two raisedportions, spaced apart from one another by a length being generally thewidth between the left side and right side edges of the glove(s) whenlaid flat. In some embodiments, the two raised portions extend from thebase and are of a pre-determined height at least equivalent to themaximum depth of the adjacent, aligned glove(s) when stacked on the baseof the cartridge in use.

In some embodiments, the cartridge further comprises a second elementarranged in use for alignment of the finger portions of the saidplurality of gloves. In one form, the second element comprises one ormore elongate strips, the or each strip being located in use between anytwo adjacent fingers of the respective glove(s). In one form of this thesecond element comprises two elongate strips, when deployed each stripbeing located between two different adjacent fingers of the respectiveglove(s). In some embodiments, the or each elongate strip forms a partof the base, having frangible connections along two sides of the strip,wherein in use the or each strip is able to be hingedly deployed toextend from a remainder of the base once said frangible connections arebroken, the strip(s) hingedly joined to the remainder of the base at oneend of said strip(s). In some embodiments, the one or more elongatestrips are of a pre-determined height at least equivalent to the maximumdepth of the adjacent, aligned glove(s) when stacked on the base of thecartridge in use.

In some embodiments, the cartridge is arranged in use to be received ina closure. In one form, the closure is a lidded box, sized so as toreceive the base, and the first element when in the deployed position.In one particular embodiment, the base is arranged to be slidinglyreceived into the closure. In an alternative embodiment, the cartridgeforms part of a closure. In one form, the closure is a lidded box whichincludes the base, and sized to contain the first element when in thedeployed position.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided, in combination, a cartridge and aclosure as defined in the fourth aspect, and a quantity of disposablegloves.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of positioning a pluralityof adjacent, aligned, disposable gloves in a cartridge and above a basethereof, the method comprising the step of positioning each glove suchthat a first portion is aligned in a proximal relationship with a firstelement of the cartridge, such that each respective glove is aligned ina stacked manner with an adjacent glove in the cartridge.

In some embodiments of the method, the first portion of the saidglove(s) is an open end of the glove(s), distal from the finger portionof the glove(s). In one form, the first element comprises two raisedportions which extend from the base, and are spaced apart from oneanother by a length being generally the width of the open end of theglove(s), and the method comprises the step of placing the respectivefirst portion of the glove(s) between the two raised portions.

In other embodiments of the method, the first portion of the saidglove(s) is one or both of the left side and right side edges of theglove(s) when laid flat. In one form, the first element comprises tworaised portions which extend from the base, and are spaced apart fromone another by a length being generally the width of between the leftand right side edges of the glove(s) when laid flat, and the methodcomprises the step of placing the respective glove(s) between the tworaised portions.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step ofpositioning each glove such that the finger portion of the glove(s) isaligned with a second element of the cartridge; and wherein eachrespective glove is aligned in a stacked manner with an adjacent glovein the cartridge by its proximal relationship to the first and secondelements.

In one form of the method in which the second element comprises one ormore elongate strips, the method comprises the step of locating the oreach strip between any two adjacent fingers of the respective glove(s).In one form of this, the or each elongate strip is formed from a part ofthe base by the step of breaking frangible connections arranged alongtwo sides of said strip(s), and then hingedly deploying the strip(s) toextend from a remainder of the base by moving said strip(s) about an endthereof which is joined to the remainder of the base. In onearrangement, the method comprises the step of locating one strip betweentwo adjacent fingers of the or each respective glove, whilesimultaneously locating a second strip between a different two adjacentfingers of the or each respective glove. In an alternative arrangement,the method comprises the step of locating one strip between two adjacentfingers of the or each respective glove, while simultaneously locating asecond strip between one of the said two adjacent fingers and a thirdfinger of the or each respective glove.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of eitherlocating the cartridge in a closure, or forming a closure around thecartridge if the cartridge itself forms a part of the closure. In someembodiments, the method further comprises the step of sealing theclosure.

In a seventh aspect there is provided a method of supporting a pluralityof adjacent, aligned, disposable gloves, the method comprising the stepsof: frictionally interfitting a planar element in the open end of eachglove; and positioning the said gloves such that the planar elementwhich is fitted into the or each glove(s) is in contact with a firstelement which extends from a cartridge; wherein the or each glove issupported in an aligned manner by the positional relationship of theplanar element and the first element.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step ofpositioning the or each glove such that a finger portion of the glovesis aligned with a second element which extends from the cartridge. Inone embodiment, the second element comprises one or more elongatestrips, and the method comprises the step of locating the or each stripbetween any two adjacent fingers of respective gloves.

In one form, the method comprises the step of locating one strip betweentwo adjacent fingers of the or each respective glove, whilesimultaneously locating a second strip between a different two adjacentfingers of the or each respective glove. In an alternative form, themethod comprises the step of locating one strip between two adjacentfingers of the or each respective glove, while simultaneously locating asecond strip between one of the said two adjacent fingers and a thirdfinger of the or each respective glove.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of removingthe planar element from the or each glove.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of eitherlocating the cartridge in a closure, or forming a closure around thecartridge if the cartridge itself forms a part of the closure. In oneform, the method further comprises the step of sealing the closure.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a machine arranged for dispensinga disposable glove, the machine comprising: an articulated arm arrangedin use for contacting and retaining a first part of the glove and formoving said glove from a first position in which the glove is located ina cartridge containing one or more gloves, to a second position in whicha second part of the said glove is able to be contacted with andretained by an anchoring means, wherein, once in the second position,one or both of the articulated arm or anchoring means is moveable in adirection relative the other, in use so as to stretch the glovesufficiently wide at an open end thereof to enable admission of a humanhand.

In some embodiments of the machine, the articulated arm moves pivotallyas it moves the glove to the second position. In one form of this, thearticulated arm moves pivotally about a mounting point which is locatedat an interior wall of the machine. In some embodiments, the anchoringmeans is arranged at a support arm, which itself is moveable so as tomove the anchoring means into the second position. In some embodiments,the support arm is elongate, and is moveable in an axial direction alongits length, both toward and away from the articulated arm. In one formof this, the support arm is telescopic.

In some other embodiments of the machine, the articulated arm iselongate, and is moveable in an axial direction along its length, bothtoward and away from the cartridge. In some embodiments of this, afterthe glove has been moved from the first position, the cartridge islaterally moveable out of alignment with the axial direction of movementof the articulated arm. In one form, said lateral movement of thecartridge exposes the anchoring means, the anchoring means being locatedin alignment with the axial direction of movement of the articulatedarm. In some embodiments, further movement of the articulated arm alongits said axial direction of movement and towards the anchoring meansshall move said glove into the second position.

In some further embodiments of the machine, a head region of thearticulated arm is joined to and pivotable about the axis of thearticulated arm, to enable the head region to be aligned with theorientation of the glove when the glove is in the first position, aspart of moving the said glove away from the first position. In someembodiments, the head region of the articulated arm is fitted with analignment sensing device to enable the head region to be aligned with aphysical feature of the glove, to improve contact with and retention ofthe glove at the articulated arm.

In some embodiments of this, the articulated arm is elongate, and ismoveable in an axial direction along its length, one such movement beingaway from the cartridge, as part of moving the said glove away from thefirst position. In some embodiments, the elongate articulated arm istelescopically moveable in the axial direction along its length. In someembodiments, an axis of the head region of the articulated arm isfurther rotatable into an orientation which not aligned with the axialdirection of movement of the elongate articulated arm, for purposes ofat least one of: (i) enabling the head region to be aligned with theorientation of the glove when the glove is in the first position, formoving the glove away from the first position, and (ii) moving the glovetowards the second position.

In one form of this, the axis of the head region is rotatable so as tobe in alignment with an axis of orientation of the anchoring means, aspart of moving said glove toward the second position. In someembodiments, the articulated arm and head region is also arranged to bemoveable in a direction towards the anchoring means, in order to movesaid glove into the second position and be contacted with the anchoringmeans.

In some embodiments, the contact and retention of the glove at thearticulated arm, or if applicable at a head region of the articulatedarm, is by means of a suction device, which uses air pressure to retainthe respective first or second side of a glove thereto. In one form ofthis, the contact and retention of the glove at the anchoring means isby means of a suction device, which uses air pressure to retain theother of the respective first or second side of a glove thereto.

In some embodiments, the suction device comprises at least one suctioncup or suction hole arranged at a support surface. In some embodiments,a plurality of suction cups or suction holes are arranged in an array atthe support surface in locations which align with the palm and the thumbregion of a glove. In some other embodiments, the suction cups orsuction holes are further arranged in an array at the support surface inlocations which align with the fingers of a glove.

In some embodiments, the first part of the glove is one of the groupcomprising a palmar side of the glove and a dorsal side of the glove,and the second part of the glove is the respective other one of thegroup comprising the palmar side and the dorsal side.

In a ninth aspect there is provided a method for dispensing a disposableglove, the method comprising the steps of: moving an articulated arm tocontact and retain a first part of the glove which is located in a firstposition located in a cartridge; moving said glove out of the cartridgetoward a second position, in which a second part of the said glove isable to be contacted with and retained by an anchoring means; andwherein once in the second position, the step of moving one or both ofthe articulated arm or anchoring means in a direction relative theother, in use so as to stretch the glove sufficiently wide at an openend thereof to enable admission of a human hand.

In some embodiments of the method, the step of contacting and retainingthe glove when in the first position at the articulated arm is achievedby the step of activation of a suction device.

In some embodiments of the method, the step of moving the glove towardthe second position is achieved by activation of the movement of thearticulated arm to cause it to pivot, or to cause it to move in adirection along its axial length. In some embodiments, movement of theanchoring means is achieved by the step of activation of an articulatedarm.

In some other embodiments, the method further includes the step ofslidingly moving the cartridge in relation to the articulated arm. Insome embodiments, the step of slidingly moving the cartridge exposes ananchoring means.

In some further embodiments of the method, the step of moving anarticulated arm to contact and retain a first part of the glove furtherincludes pivoting a head region of the articulated arm about the axis ofthe articulated arm so as to align the head region with the glove, thisstep guided by an alignment sensing device to detect a physical featureof the glove.

In some embodiments, moving the glove into the second position where asecond part of the said glove is able to be contacted with and retainedby an anchoring means includes the step of rotation of an axis of thehead region of the articulated arm which is carrying said glove intoalignment with an axis of orientation of the anchoring means. In someembodiments, moving the glove into the second position where a secondpart of the said glove is in contact with and retained by the anchoringmeans comprises the step of moving the articulated arm and head regionin a direction towards the anchoring means.

In some embodiments of any of these methods, the contact and retentionof the glove in the second position at the anchoring means is achievedby the step of activation of a suction device.

In a tenth aspect, the machines as herein defined for dispensingdisposable gloves may also further comprise at least one ultra-violet(UV) light source arranged within a housing of the machine for treatingthe gloves with ultra-violet light.

In one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing gloves,comprising at least one ultra-violet (UV) light source arranged within ahousing of the apparatus for treating the gloves with ultra-violetlight.

In some embodiments, the housing includes a cover, and the UV lightsource is operable for treating the gloves when the cover of the housingis closed.

In some embodiments, the UV light source is mounted within the housingof the glove dispensing apparatus whereby the duration of operation ofthe UV light source is controlled by a control system which may onlyactuate when the user's hand is withdrawn from the machine.

Typically, the cartridge of gloves in a closure or package of disposablegloves as described herein, is a set of freely separated gloves whichare not frangibly joined to one another. A package of disposable glovesof this type may be provided or utilised in a glove dispensing apparatusin which the gloves are arranged in a stacked fashion on top of oneanother, so as to be able to be consecutively withdrawn from thecartridge of gloves in use.

Such gloves may be a “non-handed” glove that can be worn on either theright or left hand of the use (that is, the same glove can be worn oneither the right or the left hand of the user), or of the “handed” type,and dispensed by the aforementioned method as the user inserts each handinto a respective glove with their hand in a “thumb up” orientation whenthe gloves are presented by the delivery apparatus in a correspondingvertical orientation with the opened cuff of the glove facing the user,allowing for ease of donning of the gloves. (The “thumb” of a glove ismeant that end finger of the glove for receiving, or which is arrangedto receive, the thumb of the user's hand).

Advantageously, the opening and presentation of the gloves byembodiments of glove dispensing apparatus as described herein may reduceor prevent contamination of outer surface(s) of the gloves which mayotherwise occur when it is necessary for the user to handle the glovewith their other bare hand as with the convention donning of gloves. Thegloves being dispensed may be a loose fitting lightweight “sandwich”type of glove suitable for use by persons working in food relatedindustries or in delicatessens, sandwich bars, confectionary shops orthe like where it is necessary to regularly don gloves for short periodswhen handling food whilst serving a customer and then remove and disposeof them to collect payment from the customer. However, a more likelyapplication for the delivery equipment of the present disclosure is forgloves used by persons working in the medical and pharmaceuticalindustries, for example persons performing surgery, or doing medicalresearch, where eliminating contamination (or cross-contamination) isparamount. In such situations, the person cannot simply pick up and‘pull on’ some gloves using their hands, and expect that there will beno transfer of their own bacteria onto the exterior of the gloves whichare intended for sterile use.

Advantageously also, the glove dispensing apparatus in one or moreembodiments as described herein may provide for relatively fast donningof gloves, and can avoid the use of single, loose gloves in a box whichcan otherwise become tangled together resulting in wastage in the eventa number of gloves are drawn from the box together.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will become further apparentfrom the following detailed description when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings which are a part of this disclosure and whichillustrate, by way of example, principles of the inventions disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the variousembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure, with a disposable glovelocated at the cartridge;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the cartridge and glove of FIG. 5,along with a closure in the form of a lidded box into which thecartridge and glove(s) are slidingly locatable;

FIGS. 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) show a consecutive sequence sequence of howthe cartridge and glove of FIG. 9 is slidingly received into the liddedbox of FIG. 9, and how the box lid is able to be closed;

FIGS. 10(d), 10(e) and 10(f) show a consecutive sequence of how thecartridge and glove of FIG. 9 is slidingly removed from the lidded boxof FIG. 9 after the box lid is opened, to leave a free cartridge andgloves(s) for use;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the cartridge and glove of FIG. 6,where the cartridge is formed as an integrated part of a closure in theform of a lidded box for housing glove(s);

FIGS. 12(a), 12(b) and 12(c) show a consecutive sequence of how theintegrated cartridge of FIG. 11 receives the glove(s) and then theclosure in the form of a lidded box is assembled by folding for housingthe glove(s).

FIGS. 12(d), 12(e) and 12(f) show a consecutive sequence of how thelidded box of FIG. 11 containing the glove(s) is opened and the lidremoved, to leave a free cartridge and glove(s) for use.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a cartridge in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14(a) shows a plan view of the cartridge of FIG. 13, with a stackof disposable gloves located at the cartridge;

FIG. 14(b) shows a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 13, with astack of disposable gloves located at the cartridge;

FIG. 15(a) shows a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 13, alongwith a perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge support intowhich the cartridge can be lowered, in use for supporting the cartridgeduring filling with disposable glove(s);

FIG. 15(b) shows a perspective view of the cartridge and cartridgesupport of FIG. 15(a), where the cartridge is lowered into the cartridgesupport and is ready for filling with disposable glove(s);

FIG. 16(a) shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of acartridge support into which the cartridge can be lowered, in use forsupporting the cartridge during filling with disposable glove(s);

FIG. 16(b) shows a side elevation view of the cartridge of FIG. 13 andthe cartridge support of FIG. 16(a), where the cartridge is lowered intothe cartridge support and is filled with disposable glove(s);

FIG. 16(c) shows a perspective, end elevation view of the cartridge, thecartridge support and the gloves shown in FIG. 16(b);

FIG. 16(d) shows a perspective, side elevation view of the cartridge andthe cartridge support of FIG. 16(b), where the cartridge which is filledwith disposable glove(s) is being raised and removed from the cartridgesupport;

FIG. 17(a) shows a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 13, with astack of disposable gloves located at the cartridge; the open end ofeach disposable glove being fitted with a planar element which issupported by the cartridge in use;

FIG. 17(b) shows a plan view of a planar element of FIG. 17(a);

FIG. 18(a) shows a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 13, withone disposable glove located at the cartridge, the open end of thedisposable glove being fitted with a planar element which is supportedby the cartridge in use;

FIG. 18(b) shows a plan view of a disposable glove, the open end of thedisposable glove being fitted with the planar element of FIG. 18(a);

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a lidded box forsliding receipt of a cartridge in accordance with the presentdisclosure, the lid of the box having side panels, and the lid beingable to be interlockingly engaged in a closed position in use.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective, schematic view of an embodiment of a glovedispensing machine in accordance with the present disclosure, with adisposable glove shown in an open position;

FIGS. 21(a), 21(b), 21(c), 21(d) and 21(e) show a sequence of steps ofhow the machine of FIG. 20 is able to select a disposable glove and toopen that glove for the entry of a user's hand;

FIG. 22 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of aglove dispensing machine in accordance with the present disclosure, witha disposable glove shown in an open position;

FIGS. 23(a), 23(b), 23(c), 23(d), 23(e), 23(f), 23(g) and 23(h) show asequence of steps of how the machine of FIG. 22 is able to select adisposable glove and to open that glove for the entry of a user's hand;

FIG. 24 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of aglove dispensing machine in accordance with the present disclosure, witha disposable glove shown in an open position;

FIGS. 25(a), 25(b), 25(c), 25(d), 25(e) and 25(f) show a sequence ofsteps of how the machine of FIG. 24 is able to select a disposable gloveand to open that glove for the entry of a user's hand;

FIG. 26 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of aglove dispensing machine in accordance with the present disclosure, withtwo disposable gloves shown in the open position;

FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b) shows a side, schematic view of a furtherembodiment of a portion of the mechanism of a glove dispensing machinein accordance with the present disclosure, in FIG. 27(a) showing themechanism attached to a disposable glove in a collapsed configuration,and in FIG. 27(b) showing the mechanism attached to the disposable glovein an expanded configuration, to open that glove for the entry of auser's hand;

FIG. 28 shows a perspective, schematic view of an embodiment of a glovedispensing machine in accordance with the present disclosure, when inuse by an operator; and

FIG. 29 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of aglove dispensing machine in accordance with the present disclosure, whenin use by an operator.

FIG. 30 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of aglove dispensing machine in accordance with the present disclosure, witha disposable glove shown in an open position;

FIGS. 31(a), 31(b), 31(c), 31(d) and 31(e) show a sequence of steps ofhow the machine of FIG. 30 is able to select a disposable glove and toopen that glove for the entry of a user's hand;

FIG. 32 shows a perspective, schematic view of a portion of thearticulated arm of the machine of FIG. 30, showing more detail of thepivotable and rotatable head region and of the back of the suctiondevice which is located thereat;

FIG. 33 shows a perspective view of the articulated arm of the machineof FIG. 32, showing more detail of the front of the suction devicelocated at the pivotable and rotatable head region thereof;

FIG. 34 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of asuction device located at the pivotable and rotatable head region of anarticulated arm of a glove dispensing machine in accordance with thepresent disclosure, the head region being fitted with an alignmentsensing device located adjacent to the suction device;

FIG. 35 shows a perspective view of the articulated arm of the machineof FIG. 34, showing more detail of the front of the pivotable androtatable head region and of the back of the suction device and thealignment sensing device which is located thereat;

FIG. 36 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of asuction device located at the pivotable and rotatable head region of anarticulated arm of a glove dispensing machine in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 37 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of asuction device located at the pivotable and rotatable head region of anarticulated arm of a glove dispensing machine in accordance with thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 38 shows a perspective, schematic view of a further embodiment of asuction device located at the pivotable and rotatable head region of anarticulated arm of a glove dispensing machine in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to the features of a cartridge for receiving aplurality of disposable gloves for use on a user's hands. In theembodiments disclosed, the gloves are stacked in an aligned manner inthe cartridge, that is, like gloves oriented in the same direction.Typically, the cartridge and any associated closure therearound areaftermarket consumable items which find particular use with the variousembodiments of machines for dispensing the gloves, as shall be hereindescribed.

Turning to the Figures, in the exemplary embodiments shown, thecartridge 10 comprises a rectangular-shaped, flat base panel 12, whichis at least as wide as a glove 14 laid flat thereon (a width from thethumb side 16 to the pinkie finger side 18), and at least as long as aglove 14 laid flat thereon (a length from the tip 20 of the middlefinger to the cuff 22 of the glove 14). Two rectangular, elongate stripportions 24, 26 being a part of the panel 12 are partially separablefrom the body of the remainder of the panel 12 along two parallel,frangible score lines, so as to each be able to be deployed by beingfolded in a hinged manner into a respective, upwardly oriented strip 24,26, and to lie transverse of the cartridge panel 12. Both strips 24, 26remain joined to the remainder of the cartridge panel 12 at the hingeline, so that detachment from the panel 12 does not occur in normal use.As shown in each of the Figures, the strips 24, 26 have parallel sides28, 30, for ease of detachment from the remainder of the cartridge panel12, although in other embodiments it is possible that the strips are ofa different shape (for example, with two sides which taper toward oneanother).

When in use to support one or more disposable gloves 14 at the cartridge10, each of the strips 24, 26 are located in use between any twoadjacent fingers of the respective glove(s) 14. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1, the strips 24, 26 are folded upward from the panel 12, andare respectively located between the thumb 32 and forefinger 34, andbetween the ring finger 36 and pinkie finger 38 of the glove(s) 14 (thatis, the outermost pair of a user's fingers). In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the strips 24, 26 are folded upward from the panel 12,and are respectively located between the forefinger 34 and middle finger42, and between the middle finger 42 and the ring finger 36 of theglove(s) 14, being two different adjacent fingers of the respectiveglove(s) 14. These glove alignment support strips 24, 26 facilitatebetter stacking of the gloves and thus easier mechanised removal of thegloves 14, one by one, from the stack, as will be described.

In FIG. 3, the cartridge 10 also includes two additional rectangularstrip portions 44, 46 of the panel 12 which are partially separable fromthe body of the remainder of the panel 12 along two parallel, frangiblescore lines, so as to each be able to be folded in a hinged manner intoan upwardly oriented strip 44, 46, and to lie transverse of thecartridge panel 12. Both strips 44, 46 remain joined to the cartridgepanel 12 at the hinge line, and detachment from the panel does not occurin normal use. As shown in FIG. 3, the strips 44, 46 have parallelsides, for ease of detachment from the remainder of the panel 12. Thestrips 44, 46 are located on either side of the open end (or cuff, orwrist region) 22 of the respective glove(s) 14, so that the glove(s) 14are supported and more easily stacked therebetween. The additionalsupport provided by the strips 44, 46 located on either side of the openend 22 of the glove(s) 14, along with the alignment support of the twostrips 24, 26 located between two adjacent fingers of the gloves 14,means that the disposable gloves 14 can be stacked more neatly on thecartridge 10, and therefore dispensed from the cartridge 10 with fewerproblems, as will be explained hereinafter.

In FIG. 7, the cartridge 10 also includes two additional rectangularstrip portions 48, 50 of the panel 12 which are located on the left 52and right 54 sides of the cartridge panel 12 along two parallel, foldlines, so as to each be able to be folded in a hinged manner into anupwardly oriented side strip 48, 50, and to lie transverse of thecartridge panel 12. Both strips 48, 50 remain joined to the cartridgepanel 12 at the hinge line, and detachment from the panel 12 does notoccur in normal use. As shown in FIG. 7, the strips 48, 50 are locatedon either side 52, 54 of the panel 12 and spaced apart by the width of aglove 14 laid flat (a width from the thumb side 16 to the pinkie fingerside 18). These strips 48, 50 are folded upward with respect to thepanel 12, and are respectively located adjacent the thumb side 16 and onthe pinkie finger side 18 of the glove(s) 14. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the side strips 48, 50 are used for alignment of the glove(s) 14in combination with the alignment support provided by the two strips 24,26 located between two adjacent fingers of the gloves 14, so as topromote neat stacking. These side strips 24, 26 can also facilitate thesliding motion of the cartridge 10 into a closure in the form of a box56.

In alternatives to any of the preceding or foregoing embodimentsdescribed herein, the use of a single rectangular strip portion (such asshown by either part number 24 or 26 in the Figures) for alignmentbetween just two adjacent fingers is also possible. Such a single stripcan be partially separable from the body of the remainder of the panelalong two parallel, frangible score lines, so as to be able to be foldedin a hinged manner into an upwardly oriented strip, and to lietransverse of the base panel 12 of the cartridge. The inventors haveshown that even the use of a single element such as a single stripbetween any two adjacent fingers can be sufficient to promote neatstacking of the gloves 14 without any other strip or flap or otherelement needed for in use alignment of a plurality of gloves located atthe cartridge. Also in further alternatives of this, the use of a singlefinger divider strip between any two adjacent fingers does not need tobe in the form of a portion of the base panel 12 which is partiallydetached therefrom and hingedly deployed upward, but can be a standaloneprotrusion or projection which is otherwise formed pre-attached orpre-affixed to sit proud of the supporting base panel of the cartridgeprior to use, for example by gluing.

In still further alternatives to any of the preceding or foregoingembodiments described herein, the cartridge may have the option of usingjust a single strip portion 44 or 46 (being either partially separablefrom the body of the remainder of the panel 12 along two parallel,frangible score lines, or attached to the cartridge base panel by someother means of affixing to sit proud thereof), and located at thecartridge base panel 12 on one side of the open end 22 (or cuff, orwrist region) of the glove(s), so that the glove(s) 14 are sufficientlysupported. The inventors have shown that even the use of a singleelement such as a single strip near the open end 22 (or cuff region) ofthe glove(s) can be sufficient to promote neat stacking of the gloves 14without any other strip or flap or other element needed.

In still further embodiments, a strip or flap or other shaped elementfor in use alignment of a plurality of gloves located at the cartridgedoes not need to be in the form of a projection from, or a part of, thebase panel 12 but can be a standalone protrusion or projection whichextends inwardly towards the location of the glove(s) in use, forexample from a side wall of the cartridge if there is one present. Forexample, there are cartridge side walls 62, 64 which are shown in FIGS.2, 4, 6 and 8 in which in certain embodiments of the cartridge 10 thebase panel 12 and the cartridge side walls 62, 64 as well as the endwall 66 can be integrally formed. Therefore, from these side walls,various shapes of strip portions or flaps can be at least partiallydetached or folded to extend into the interior space of the cartridge10, and be used to support some part of the glove(s), such as betweenthe fingers, or to align the open end 22 (or cuff region).

In a further example, the cartridge side wall interiors (for examplethose shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8 as parts 62, 64) may have protrusionsor formations thereon of various internal shape elements, such ascurves, contours or other shapes which are arranged to extend into theinterior space of the cartridge 10, and for example be used to closelyabut and support either one or both of the left side edge or right sideedge of each glove when the glove is oriented flat (laid parallel to thebase panel 12 of the cartridge). Depending on the nature and style ofgloves which are ultimately going to be stacked into the cartridge, thefeatures of these protruding elements or formations may be changedduring manufacturing of the cartridges to be of any other suitable shapeor form which can closely accommodate the external dimensions of theglove, and so to facilitate even, aligned stacking of a pluralitythereof.

In some of the preceding embodiments, a pull-tab flap 58 located on anend of the cartridge base panel 12 can facilitate the sliding motion ofthe cartridge 10 into or out of a closure or box 56, the pull tab 58also having a finger hole grip 60. This pull-tab flap 58 means that thehands of an operator who is packing boxes 56 does not come into contactwith the stacked, aligned gloves 14 on the cartridge 10.

Each of FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8 depict embodiments of the respectivecartridge designs of FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7, with the additional feature ofthe cartridge 10 being either slidingly received into a respectiveclosure or box 56, or integrally formed and itself being the base panel12 of the box 56. In these example Figures, each box 56 comprises twoparallel side walls 62, 64, a base panel 12 and an end wall 66, wherethe base 12 and the end wall 66 each extend between the two side walls62, 64. The base panel 12 of the box 56 is of a cross-sectional shapeequivalent to the shape dimensions of a respective cartridge 10, so thatin inserted cartridge type arrangements, the cartridge 10 can beslidingly inserted into the end of the box 56 and locatable over thebase panel 12 of the box 56. The side walls 62, 64 of the box 56 are ofa height equivalent to (or more than) the height of the upwardlyoriented, hinged strips 24, 26, when deployed transverse of thecartridge panel 12. The side 62, 64 and end 66 walls of the box 56provide support for, and sterile containment of, the stacked and alignedgloves 14 on the cartridge 10, and are suitable for use into a glovedispensing machine, as will be shortly described. In some embodiments,the closure is a lidded box, as will be described in relation to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cartridges 10 are slidingly located into a box56 with an openable end flap 68. In such inserted cartridgearrangements, the cartridge 10 can be slidingly removed from the box 56in situations which necessitate the gloves 14 being removed from theirbox for dispensing, whereas integrated cartridges are intended to bebuilt directly as part of a box with dispensing of gloves 14 to beundertaken directly from the opened box. In the arrangement shown inFIG. 9, in use the box end flap 68 is openable to allow the glovecartridge 10 which is inserted into the box 56 after being loaded withstacked, aligned gloves 14, to be slidingly removed to provide access tothe gloves 14 by a dispenser machine. The sequence of drawings shown inFIGS. 10(a) to 10(c) respectively show the gloves 14 being stacked ontothe cartridge 10 with finger support strips 24, 26 (FIG. 10(a)), thenpacked into the box 56 by using the box sides 52, 54 as a support foralignment of the side edges 16, 18 of the stacked, aligned gloves 14 soas to promote neat stacking, and also to guide to slide the cartridgebase panel 12 in via an end of the box 56, using the pull tab flap 58 topush the cartridge 10 into the box 56 (FIG. 10(b)). The box end flap 68is then closed and sealed with a closure clip or perhaps with anadhesive glue at its outer edges (FIG. 10(c)) to prevent access to thegloves 14.

The sequence of drawings shown in FIGS. 10(d) to 10(f) respectively showthe reverse sequence of the packed glove cartridge 10 being removed fromthe sealed box 56 (FIG. 10(d)). The box 56 is opened by releasing clipsat the front end or by tearing along perforated edges or breaking anadhesive seal. A user then grabs the pull tab flap 58 to slidingly pullthe loaded cartridge 10 out of the box 56 (FIG. 10(e)). Once removedfrom the box 56, the loaded cartridge 10 is now ready for the gloves 14to be dispensed horizontally or vertically from the cartridge 10 by aglove delivery machine (FIG. 10(f)).

In a further embodiment of the methodology shown in FIGS. 10(d) to10(f), the packed glove cartridge may not necessarily be removed fromthe sealed box (FIG. 10(d)). The box 56 can still be opened by releasingclips at the front end or by tearing along perforated edges or breakingan adhesive seal, and simply removing the upper lid 70. A user thenwould just place the unlidded box 56, including the loaded cartridge 10,into a dispensing machine for the gloves to subsequently be dispensedhorizontally or vertically from the cartridge 10 by the glove deliverymachine.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cartridges are formed as part of a box, whichis openable with a tear-off top lid or lid and front flap combination.In such an integrated cartridge arrangement, the cartridge 10 isactually the base panel of the box 56, and dispensing is undertakendirectly from the opened box 56. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 11, inuse the box lid 70 and end flap 68 is torn off by a user to allow accessby a dispenser machine to the stacked, aligned gloves 14 which liewithin the remaining three walls 62, 64, 66 of the box 56. The sequenceof drawings shown in FIGS. 12(a) to 12(c) respectively show the empty,unfolded box laid flat in preparation for filling with gloves to bestacked onto the cartridge 10 formed integrally as the base panel 12 ofthe box 56. Two finger support strips 24, 26 are joined to the cartridgebase panel 12 of the box (FIG. 12(a)) for example by gluing, and thenare bent or formed into a vertically upright position. Gloves 14 arethen packed into the box by using the box sides 62, 64 and/or otherraised support strips as a guide to proper alignment of the stackedgloves (FIG. 12(b)). It is better to stack the gloves vertically in thismanner without the box walls 62, 64, 66 yet being formed around thefinger support strips 24, 26, to allow ease of access and to preventsnagging or catching of the gloves on the side walls. Once the gloves 14have been stacked, the box side walls 62, 64 and the lid 70 and end flap68 are then folded up, closed and sealed with a closure clip, or perhapswith an adhesive glue at the outer edges (FIG. 12(c)). The box walls areat least of the height to accommodate the height of the deployed supportstrips 24, 26 when these are extended vertically from the cartridge basepanel.

The sequence of drawings shown in FIGS. 12(d) to 12(f) respectively showthe reverse sequence of the packed glove cartridge (being the base panelof the box) being exposed by the opening of the sealed box (FIG. 12(d)).The box 56 is opened by releasing clips at the front end flap 68 or bytearing along its perforated edges or breaking an adhesive seal, forexample. A user then tears off the box lid 70 thereby exposing the stackof aligned gloves 14 seated in the remaining walls of the box (FIG.12(e)). Once the lid has been removed or torn off from the box, thegloves are now ready to be dispensed vertically from the box by a glovedelivery machine (FIG. 12(f)) without the necessity to slidingly removea base cartridge, as was described earlier in relation to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Turning to FIGS. 13 and 14, an insert cartridge 10 of the type alreadydescribed is shown featuring two strips 24, 26 folded upward andextending from the base panel 12 for location between two adjacentfingers of the glove(s) 14 when stacked. In the embodiment shown in FIG.13, the strips are arranged for location between the between theforefinger 34 and middle finger 42, and between the middle finger 42 andthe ring finger 36 of the glove(s), being two different adjacent fingersof the respective glove(s). These glove alignment support strips 24, 26can also have a removable, additional height extension sleeve 72, 74each fitted thereto, as required.

In FIG. 13, the cartridge 10 also includes two additional box-shapedportions 76, 78 attached to the panel 12 by gluing, or by some otherattachment means. These box-shaped portions 76, 78 could also be formedfrom a strip of material extending from the cartridge panel 12, andfolded in a hinged manner into the upwardly oriented box shape 76, 78,so as to protrude vertically from the cartridge panel 12. In use thebox-shaped portions 76, 78 are located on either side of the open end 22(or cuff, or wrist region) of the glove(s) 14, so that the glove(s) aresupported and more easily stacked therebetween. The additional supportprovided by the box-shaped portions 76, 78 located on either side of theopen end 22 of the glove(s), along with the alignment support of the twostrips 24, 26 located between two adjacent fingers of the gloves 14,means that the gloves can be stacked more neatly on the cartridge 10,and therefore dispensed from the cartridge with fewer problems. FIGS.14(a) and 14(b) show two views of the stack of disposable gloves 14 whenlocated at the cartridge 10 of FIG. 13. It has been found that the stackof aligned gloves 14 is better dispensed by a machine when the open end22 (or cuff, or wrist region) of the gloves 14 are properly aligned, andthis may have more influence on effective machine operation than thefinger support provided by the two strips 24, 26 which are folded upwardand extend from the base panel 12 of the cartridge 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), the cartridge of FIG. 13 isshown being vertically loaded onto a mounting bracket 80 which has rigidside walls, and may be made of metal or plastic, for example. The use ofsuch a mounting bracket 80 can further facilitate the alignment of thestacked gloves 14 when being loaded onto the cartridge 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 16(a) through 16(d), the cartridge of FIG. 13 isshown vertically loaded onto a mounting bracket 82 which has no sidewalls, but which has two support posts 84, 86 against which the tworespective strips 24, 26 which are folded upward and which extend fromthe base panel 12 can rest against during the glove stacking and fillingstep. These support posts 84, 86 are rounded in cross-section, so as toprevent any possible damage to an adjacent plastic glove 14 in use, andprovide addition support for the strips 24, 26 during the glove stackingprocess to reduce the flexibility of the strips 24, 26, which may becomebent or sag sideways with use. If the cartridge strips 24, 26 are ableto extend close to vertically from the cartridge base panel 12, it makesit easier to load the glove 14 and to get the fingers in line, so as toproduce a vertical glove stack. As shown in the drawings, the mountingbracket 82 also keeps the box-shaped portions 76, 78 located on eitherside of the open end 22 (or cuff, or wrist region) of the glove(s) 14,in square alignment, which therefore aids in the evenness of stacking ofthe open end regions 22 of the gloves 14.

In still further embodiments, the cartridge may have either of: (a) tworectangular strip portions 24, 26 (being either partially separable fromthe body of the remainder of the panel 12 along two parallel, frangiblescore lines, or attached to the cartridge base panel by some means),with each strip 24, 26 located between two adjacent fingers of theglove(s) 14; or (b) two rectangular strip or box portions 48, 50 locatedat the cartridge base panel 12 on either side of the open end 22 (orcuff, or wrist region) of the glove(s), so that the glove(s) 14 aresupported. It is possible for either of these two arrangements of glovesupport to solely facilitate the gloves being neatly stacked on thecartridge 10, and therefore dispensed from the cartridge 10 with fewerproblems. In still further embodiments of these two types ofarrangements, the cartridge 10 itself may form the base panel 12 of thebox 56, with dispensing occurring directly from the opened box.

In still further embodiments, the cartridge may have either of: (i) onerectangular strip portion (24 or 26) (being either partially separablefrom the body of the remainder of the panel 12 along two parallel,frangible score lines, or attached to the cartridge base panel by somemeans), with the strip located between two adjacent fingers of theglove(s); or (ii) one rectangular strip or box portion (76 or 78)located at the cartridge base panel 12 on one side of the open end 22(or cuff, or wrist region) of the glove(s), so that the glove(s) aresupported. It is possible for either of these two arrangements of glovesupport means to solely facilitate the gloves 14 being neatly stacked onthe cartridge 10, and therefore dispensed from the cartridge 10 withfewer problems. In still further embodiments of these two types ofarrangements, the cartridge 10 itself may form the base panel 12 of thebox 56, with dispensing occurring directly from the opened box.

Referring now to FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), the cartridge 10 of FIG. 13 isshown being loaded with a plurality of adjacent, aligned, disposablegloves 14, where each one of the gloves has a generallyrectangular-shaped planar tab 88 which is interfitted into therespective open end of each glove 14. These planar tabs 88 each have atongue portion 90 which extends at least partially into the open end 22of each glove 14, and held there by the elasticity of the glovematerial. The tabs 88 which are fitted into each glove 14 also have ashoulder section 92 which in use rests against the outer edge of the twobox-shaped portions 76, 78 of the cartridge 10. By this method, eachglove 14 is supported in an aligned manner by positioning the shouldersection 92 of the tab 88 to rest against the box-shaped portions 76, 78of the cartridge 10. If necessary, the gloves 14 can still be furthersupported by either one or two rectangular strip portions 24, 26 (beingeither partially separable from the body of the remainder of the panel12 along two parallel, frangible score lines; or, attached to thecartridge base panel 12 by some means), with the or each strip 24, 26located between any two adjacent fingers of the glove(s), as describedin previous embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b), the adjacent, aligned,disposable gloves, each have a generally triangular-shaped planar tab 94which is interfitted into the respective open end 22 of each glove 14.These planar tabs 94 function in the same way as the rectangular tabs 88with shoulder 92 as described in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), but each tab 94also has a through-hole 96 located near the apex 98 of the planar tab94, meaning that the tabs 94 and attached gloves 14 can be aligned on arod 100 or wire, or similar elongate member. In some dispensingarrangements it may be convenient for the gloves to be vertically,adjacently aligned and then packed, as shown in the orientation shown inFIG. 18(a). Also as shown in FIG. 18(a), there is a cartridge 10 intowhich the tabs 94 and attached gloves 14 can be aligned and positioned,and the cartridge 10 also has two rectangular strip portions 44, 46located at the cartridge base panel 12 on either side of the open end 22(or cuff, or wrist region) of the glove(s) 14, in square alignment withone another, which therefore aids in the evenness of stacking of theopen end 22 region of the gloves 14. This improved stacking assists withthe procedure of dispensing the gloves 14 from the cartridge 10.

Once the gloves are positioned in an adjacent, aligned manner as shownin FIGS. 17(a) and 18(a), and the gloves 14 are supported on a cartridge10 or at the base panel of a box, the planar tabs 88, 94 can be removedfrom the open end 22 of each of the gloves 14 in the stack of gloves.The stacked, adjacent gloves are then placed in some sort of closure orbox 56, either by sliding the cartridge 10 into the box 56, or formingthe box 56 around the base panel 12 onto which the gloves 14 arestacked, and sealing the box 56, so that the gloves 14 are then ready tobe dispensed by a glove delivery machine, as has been previouslydescribed for other embodiments. A further example of a closure of thetype used to contain a cartridge of gloves is shown in FIG. 19, whichincludes triangular side panels 102 on the lid 70 which can increase therigidity of the overall box 104 with the lid 70 closed. To effectclosing engagement, the end edge 106 of the lid 70 is received in useinto a slot 108 in a tab flap 110 formed at the edge of the base panel12 of the box 104.

The present disclosure also relates to the features of a machine fordispensing disposable gloves for use on a user's hands, and methods forusing such machines. In the embodiments disclosed, the gloves arestacked in an aligned, stacked manner in the cartridge, or in a boxwhich contains, or includes, a cartridge, in accordance with any of theembodiments already described. The aim of any one of the illustrateddispensing machines is to automate the glove dispensing and openingprocesses, to be able to offer the glove to a user with minimalcontamination of the external surfaces of the glove(s). In the followingexemplary embodiments, if a component of both embodiments has the sameor a similar functionality, it has been given the same part number forease of reference.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, and in FIGS. 21(a) to21(e), a dispensing machine 112 is shown in which a horizontal stack ofgloves 14 is located in an open box 56 including a cartridge 10. Thegloves 14 can be dispensed, one at a time, by the machine 112 whichoffers the glove to the user's hand in a vertical (or ‘thumbs up’)orientation without movement of the cartridge 10 from its initialposition within the machine 112. The machine shown (FIG. 21(a)) has anarticulated arm 114 which is fitted with a suction device in the form ofa first suction cup 116, which has a square shaped front face. Thearticulated arm 114 is arranged in use to move the first suction cup 116into a position to contact the glove 14, and then the suction cup 116 isactuated (that is, a suction pressure is applied) to retain one face(palmar side 118 or dorsal side 120) of a single glove by theapplication of the suction, as shown in FIG. 21(b). Actuation of thefirst suction cup 116 to retain the glove 14 then allows the retainedglove to be moved by the action of the articulated arm 114 as the arm114 pivots about a mounting point 115 which is located at an interiorside wall of the dispensing machine 112 above the height of thecartridge 10. The glove 14 is lifted out from the cartridge or box 56 ofhorizontally stacked gloves, and is raised into a position above thecartridge 10 and, as shown in FIG. 21(c), because of the fixed anglebetween the front plane of first suction cup 166 and the axis of thearticulated arm 114, the glove is now oriented orthogonally with respectto its original horizontal position. In such a vertical (or “thumbs up”)orientation, as shown in FIG. 21(c). Actuation of suction can be as aresult of activation of a suction pump. The suction cup 116 has anexterior surface made of rubber, vinyl, pvc or some other flexible orplastic material, with rounded edges to ensure that there is no damageor tearing of the contacted glove in use.

Once the glove 14 is held in the aforementioned vertical orientation, ananchoring means in the form of a second suction cup 122, which issupported by being attached to an end of a telescopically moveable arm124, which is laterally moveable in a direction across the top of thecartridge 10, so that the suction cup 122 can make contact with theother side of the glove 14 (the other one of the palmar side 118 or thedorsal side 120 which is not already attached to the first suction cup116). The second suction cup 122 can then be actuated so as to retainthe said other side of the glove by the application of suction. Thismeans that the glove 14 is now held on both of its greater side faces118, 120 by a respective suction cup 116, 122, and is therefore able tobe stretched open if the moveable arm 124, is moved laterally in areverse direction across the top of the cartridge 10 so that the secondsuction cup 122 is moved in a direction away from the respective othersuction cup 116. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21(e), thetelescopically moveable arm 124 is retracted to move away from thestationary articulated arm 114, in use so as to stretch the glove 14sufficiently wide at its open end 22 to enable admission of a human hand(this is also shown in a larger view in FIG. 20). The user can thusinsert their hand into the open (cuff) end 22 of the glove 14 withoutthe need to touch the exterior of the glove, and whilst the glove ispresented in a ‘thumbs up’ orientation. Once the hand is inserted in theglove, the suction pressure being applied to both suction cups 116, 122can be deactivated, allowing the release of the sides 118, 120 of thegloves from the suction cups 116, 122, so that a user can retract agloved hand from the apparatus. The force of movement of the articulatedarm 114 and of the telescopically movable arm 124 is never greater thanthe suction force pressure applied to either of the glove faces 118,120, so as not to remove the glove 14 from either suction cup 116, 122(which would not allow it to become opened for use), or to be soforceful as to tear the glove apart.

In other embodiments of the dispensing machine, the articulated armholding the first suction cup may also have a telescopic functionality,and the second suction cup may be attached to an articulated arm, forexample. In other embodiments of the dispensing machine, thetelescopically moveable arm can remain stationary and the articulatedarm can retractably move in use relative to the telescopic arm, so as tostretch the glove sufficiently wide at its open end to enable theadmission of a human hand. The use of suction cups has the advantage ofno contact contamination with the outer surfaces of the glove, althoughin still further embodiments, the use of a suction cup can be replacedby use of another form of temporary bonding, such as adhesive or ‘tacky’surface, which is sufficient to join to the face(s) of the glove in anon-permanent manner, but is still sterile.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, and in FIGS. 23(a) to23(h), a dispensing machine 126 is shown in which a horizontal stack ofgloves 14 in an open box 56 including a cartridge 10. The gloves can bedispensed, one at a time, by the machine 126 which offers the glove 14to the user's hand in a horizontal (or ‘thumbs sideways’) orientationafter movement of the cartridge 10 occurs. The machine 126 (FIG. 23(a))has a single, centrally located, articulated arm 128 which operatesusing a telescopic extension and retraction mechanism. The lowermost endregion of the articulated arm 128 is fitted with a first suction cup116, of the type previously described in relation to FIG. 20 and FIG.21. The telescopic arm 128 is arranged in use to move in a verticallydirection upward or downward along the axis (X-X) of its length. Thecartridge 10 (or box 56) of stacked gloves 14 is moveable by slidinglaterally sideways with respect to the vertical axis X-X, and on aplatform 130 located on a rail or track 132, and into a position so asto be aligned underneath the vertical axis X-X of the telescopic arm 128(FIG. 23(c)). The telescopic arm 128 can then move the suction cup 116downward into a position to contact a glove 14 at the cartridge 10 (FIG.23(d)) and then be actuated so as to retain one face (palmar side ordorsal side 118, 120) of a single glove 14 by the application of airsuction. The actuation of the first suction cup 116 to retain the glove14 then allows the retained glove 14 to be moved by the action of thetelescopic arm 128 out from the cartridge 10 (or box 56) of horizontallystacked gloves, and to be raised into a position above the cartridge 10,and held in the same horizontal orientation, as shown in FIG. 23(e)).The cartridge 10 is then moved laterally sideways from under the axisX-X of the telescopic arm 128 (FIG. 23(f)).

Once the cartridge 10 of undispensed gloves has been moved laterallysideways, a second, stationary suction cup 122 is exposed at the base orfloor region 134 of the machine 126, below the rail or track 132 uponwhich the cartridge 10 (or box 56) of stacked gloves is laterally moved.The stationary suction cup 122 is positioned in alignment with the axisX-X of the telescopic articulated arm 128, as shown in FIG. 23(f). Theglove 14 being held by the first suction cup 116 is then lowered in thevertically axial direction X-X towards the second suction cup 122, sothat the second suction cup 122 can contact the other side face of theglove 14 (the other of the palmar side or dorsal side which is notalready attached to the first suction cup 116). The second suction cup122 can then be actuated by the application of suction so as to retainthe said other side face of the glove 14. This means that the glove 14is now held at both of its large side faces 118, 120 by a respectivesuction cup 116, 122, and is therefore able to be stretched open if thetelescopic arm 128 is moved in an axial direction X-X vertically upwardand away from the second, stationary suction cup 122. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 23(h), the telescopically moveable arm 128 moves away fromthe stationary suction cup 122, in use so as to stretch the glove cuffsufficiently wide at its open end 22 to enable admission of a human hand(this is also shown in a larger view in FIG. 22). The user can inserttheir hand into the open (cuff) end 22 of the glove 14 without the needto touch the exterior of the glove, and in a ‘thumbs sideways’orientation (palm facing the ground, or palm facing upwards). Once thehand is inserted in the glove, the suction pressure being applied toboth suction cups 116, 122 can be deactivated, allowing the release ofthe sides 118, 120 of the gloves 14 from the suction cups 116, 122, sothat a user can retract the gloved hand from the apparatus. The force ofmovement of the telescopic arm 128 is never greater than the suctionforce pressure applied to either of the glove faces 118, 120, so as notto remove the glove 14 from either suction cup (which would not allow itto become opened for use), or to be so forceful as to tear the gloveapart.

In the embodiment shown, there are two cartridges 10 of stacked, aligneddisposable gloves 14 shown at the base or floor region 134 of themachine 126. In use, either of these cartridges 10 can be moved sidewaysby sliding along a track or rail 132 so as to be positioned under thevertical axis X-X of the telescopic arm 128, either alternately, or oneat a time until the gloves 14 have all been dispensed from one cartridge10 before switching to another cartridge/box 10. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 23(a), the gloves are stacked in a ‘left hand’ and a ‘righthand’ orientation—that is, the thumbs 32 of stacked gloves 14 in theleft hand cartridge 10 a are facing toward the axis X-X of thetelescopic arm 128, with palms facing down, and the thumbs 32 of stackedgloves 14 in the right hand cartridge 10 b are also facing toward theaxis X-X of the telescopic arm 128, with palms facing down. This meansthat during use, the user could put both of their hands into the machine126 one after another in sequence, in both cases in a ‘palms down’orientation, offering either left hand first and then right hand, orvice versa, and a glove 14 would be dispensed from the respective lefthand 10 a and then, subsequently, from the right hand 10 b cartridge, inthe manner described above. The order of dispensing could also bereversed (that is, the right hand first and then the left hand,depending on the cartridge which is being accessed).

In another embodiment, the gloves may be stacked in the same directionin both cartridges—for example, all of the gloves in both cartridgescould be oriented with the thumb on the left hand side of the cartridgeand the pinkie finger on the right hand side of the cartridge. In suchan arrangement, the user of the machine of FIG. 22 would need toalternate the orientation of their hands during insertion into themachine, with the user's right hand needing to be ‘palms down’ forreceiving a glove from either of the cartridges, and the user's lefthand needing to be oriented as ‘palms up’ for receiving a glove fromeither cartridge.

In other embodiments of the machine, the arm holding the first suctioncup may also have an articulated functionality, and the second suctioncap may be attached to a telescopic arm, for example.

Referring now to the embodiment FIG. 24, and to FIGS. 25(a) to 25(f), adispensing machine 136 is shown in which there is positioned a stack ofgloves 14 in an open box 56 containing a cartridge 10 of such gloves,which has been oriented sideways in use in the machine 136. The stack ofaligned gloves is held in position at an interior wall 138 of themachine 136 by means of a tension clip 140 which retains the stack ofgloves 14 in an aligned manner so that they do not fall out of thecartridge 10 whilst in the sideways orientation. The cartridge 10 andthe tension clip 140 are located together on a slidable platform 142which can move vertically up and down along a rail 144 on the insidewall 138 of the machine 136, as will now be described. The gloves can bedispensed, one at a time, by the machine 136, which offers the glove 14to the user's hand in a vertical (or ‘thumbs up’) orientation.

The machine shown (FIG. 24) has a single articulated arm 146 whichoperates using a telescopic extension and retraction mechanism. Theterminal end region of the articulated arm 128 is fitted with a firstsuction cup 116 of the type previously described in relation toembodiments shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 22. The telescopic arm 146 isarranged in use to move in a horizontally sideways direction along theaxis (Y-Y) of its length. The cartridge 10 (or box 56) of stacked gloves14 is oriented sideways and is moveable by sliding vertically up or downon a platform 142 located on a rail or track 144, and into a position soas to be aligned with the horizontal axis Y-Y of the telescopic arm 146(FIG. 25(a)). The telescopic arm 146 can then move the suction cup 116sideways into a position to contact a glove 14 at the cartridge 10 (FIG.25(b)) and then be actuated so as to retain one face (palmar side ordorsal side) of a single glove 14 by the application of air suction.After actuation of the first suction cup 116 to retain the face of theglove 14, the telescopic arm 146 is then retracted to cause the retainedglove 14 to be moved by the action of the telescopic arm 146 out fromunder the grip of the tension clip 140 and out of the cartridge 10 (orbox 56) of stacked gloves. Once the glove 14 is moved into a positionaway from the cartridge 10, it is then held in a vertical orientation,as shown in FIG. 25(c)). The cartridge 10 and the tension clip 140 arethen moved vertically upwards along the machine inner wall 138 by theaction of the dispensing machine 136, and away from being in alignmentwith the horizontal axis Y-Y of the telescopic arm 146 (FIG. 25(d)).

Once the cartridge 10 of undispensed gloves has been moved verticallyupwards by sliding, the location of an anchoring means in the form of asecond, stationary suction cup 122 is exposed at the wall 138 of themachine 136, and which is in alignment with the axis Y-Y of thetelescopic arm 146, as shown in FIG. 25(d). The glove 14 being held bythe first suction cup 116 is then moved sideways in the same horizontalaxial direction Y-Y of the telescopic articulated arm 146 towards thesecond suction cup 122, so that the second suction cup 122 can contactthe other side face of the glove (the other of the palmar side or dorsalside) as shown in FIG. 25(e). The second suction cup 122 can then beactuated so as to retain that other side face of the glove by theapplication of suction. This means that the glove 14 is now held on bothof its greater side faces 118, 120 by a respective suction cup 116, 122,and is therefore able to be stretched open if the telescopic arm 146 ismoved in an axial direction Y-Y horizontally away from the secondsuction cup 122. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 25(f), thetelescopically moveable arm 146 moves away from the stationary suctioncup 122, in use so as to stretch the glove sufficiently wide at its openend 22 to enable admission of a human hand (this is also shown in alarger view in FIG. 24). The user can insert their hand into the open(cuff) end 22 of the glove 14 without the need to touch the exterior ofthe glove 14, while the glove is presented in a ‘thumbs up’ orientation(palm facing sideways). Once the hand is inserted in the glove, thesuction pressure being applied to both suction cups 116, 122 can bedeactivated, allowing the release of the sides 118, 120 of the gloves 14from the suction cups 116, 122, so that a user can retract the glovedhand from the apparatus. The force of movement of the telescopic arm 146is never greater than the suction force pressure applied to either ofthe glove faces, so as not to remove the glove from either suction cup116, 122 (which would not allow it to become opened for use), or to beso forceful as to tear the glove apart.

In the embodiment shown, there is one cartridge of stacked, aligneddisposable gloves shown. In use, a user inserts their hand into thegloves in a ‘thumbs up’ orientation, which is suitable for fitting of aglove 14 to both a left or a right hand of a user when insertedalternately into the machine. In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG.26, there is shown a glove dispensing machine 150 which has all of thefunctionality of the machine 136 shown in FIG. 24, and the sameoperating principles as shown in FIGS. 25(a) to 25(f), but which has amirror image machine arrangement of identical functionality (aback-to-back combination of two machines 136). Such a dual glovedispensing system allows two gloves 14 to be fitted to the left andright hands of a user simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 26, where the twogloves are each shown in the open configuration to enable admission of ahuman hand. In both portions of the apparatus, the gloves are stacked inthe same direction in both cartridges or boxes, in a ‘thumbs up’configuration.

In other embodiments of the machine shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the armholding the first suction cup may also have an articulated functionalityrather than just being telescopic, for example. In some embodimentswhere a suction cup device is employed, one further arrangement caninclude the use of multiple, small articulated suction cups 152 fittedto the end of an articulated or telescopic arm 154, as illustrated inFIGS. 27(a) and 27(b). In this arrangement, pairs of small suction cups152 are employed on each of the large faces 118, 120 of each glove 14,to be able to better stretch open the glove sufficiently wide at itsopen (cuff) end 22 to enable to admission of a human hand, by making theglove entry end more rounded in shape.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 30, and in FIGS. 31(a) to31(d), a dispensing machine 170 is shown in which a horizontal stack ofgloves 14 is located in an open box 56 including a cartridge 10. Thegloves 14 can be dispensed, one at a time, by the machine 170 whichoffers the glove to the user's hand in a vertical (or ‘thumbs up’)orientation without movement of the cartridge 10 from its initialposition within the machine 170. The machine shown 170 (FIG. 31(a)) hasa single, centrally-located, articulated arm 172 which operates using atelescopic extension and retraction mechanism and is arranged in use tomove in a vertical direction upward or downward along the axis (X-X) ofits length. The lowermost end region of the articulated arm 172 isfitted with is fitted with a suction device in the form of a firstsuction cup 116, of the type previously described in relation to FIG. 20and FIG. 21. The articulated arm 172 is arranged in use to move thefirst suction cup 116 into a position to contact the glove 14, and thenthe suction cup 116 is actuated (that is, a suction pressure is applied)to retain one face (in this case the dorsal side 120, not the palmarside 118) of a single glove 14 by the application of the suction, asshown in FIG. 31(b). Actuation of the first suction cup 116 to retainthe glove 14 then allows the retained glove to be moved by the action ofthe articulated arm 172 as the arm 172 is raised upward within thedispensing machine 170 directly above the cartridge 10. The glove 14 islifted out from the cartridge or box 56 of horizontally stacked gloves,and is raised into a position above the cartridge 10, as shown in FIG.31(b).

The suction cup 116 is joined to the articulated arm 172 at a terminalend region or head region 174 of the articulated arm. The head region174 comprises a mounting bracket 176 as a support for the suction cup116, and the bracket 176 itself is joined to the articulated arm 172,and is also pivotable thereabout, via a ball and socket joint 178.

Such a connection has a number of different degrees of freedom to allowgreater flexibility for orienting the position of the suction cup 116 inrelation to the glove(s) 14 when they are initially located in thecartridge or box 56. If the gloves 14 are not supplied evenly stackedand aligned in the cartridge 10 when supplied (for example if there areno finger or cuff or side alignment projections located within thecartridge), then there may be variations of up to 15-20 degrees in theangle of the uppermost glove from perfect horizontal alignment. For thisreason, the ball and socket joint 178 creates a flexibly moveable paddlemounting for the suction cup 116, which is fully pivotally rotatableabout the axis (X-X) of the articulated arm (that is, through 360 degreeangle shown by Arrow B in FIG. 31(b) and also in FIG. 32), and it canalso be angularly rotatable (up to a 90 degree angle as shown by Arrow Ain FIG. 31(c) and also in FIG. 32) so that the central axis (Y-Y) of thehead region 174 and mounting bracket 176 is moved out of coaxialalignment with the axis (X-X) of the elongate articulated arm 172. Aglove contact and removal mechanism which features a ball and socketjoint 178 offers freedom of movement in both a swing plane as well as ina pitch plane, which allows the contact and retention of even misalignedstacked gloves 14 when these are encountered in the cartridge 10 or box56 by the suction cup 116.

Referring now to FIG. 31(c), next step in the sequence of operation ofthis dispensing machine 170 is that the head region 174 is thencontrolled to rotate (through angle shown by Arrow A) into anorientation in which the central axis (Y-Y) of the head region 174 andmounting bracket 176 is orthogonal to the axis (X-X) of the elongatearticulated arm 172, but more importantly has now been brought intocoaxial alignment with the axis of orientation (Z-Z) of the gloveanchoring means. The glove 14 being carried by the activated suction cup16 is thus now oriented orthogonally with respect to its originalhorizontal position, and is in a vertical (or “thumbs up”) orientation,as shown in FIG. 31(c). Once the glove 14 is in this verticalorientation, the entire articulated arm 172 and head region 174 is thenarranged to be moved (by a mechanism not shown within the bracketedtrack 180) in a direction away from its position above the cartridge orbox 56 and (as shown by Arrow M) towards the anchoring means in the formof a second suction cup 122, which is supported in a mounted position atan interior wall of the machine 170. Once the suction cup 122 makescontact with the other side of the glove 14 (the other one of the palmarside 118 or the dorsal side 120 which is not already attached to thefirst suction cup 116), then the second suction cup 122 can then beactuated so as to retain the said other side of the glove by theapplication of suction (this position is shown in FIG. 31(d)). Thismeans that the glove 14 is now held on both of its greater side faces118, 120 by a respective suction cup 116, 122, and is therefore able tobe stretched open if the entire articulated arm 172, head region 174 andsuction cup 116 is arranged to be laterally driven a short distance backalong the bracketed track 180 in a reverse direction (the opposite ofArrow M) so that the second suction cup 122 is moved in a direction awayfrom the respective other suction cup 116. In the embodiment of thisposition shown in FIG. 30, the glove 14 is stretched sufficiently wideat its open end 22 to enable admission of a human hand. The user canthus insert their hand into the open (cuff) end 22 of the glove 14without the need to touch the exterior of the glove, and whilst theglove is presented in a ‘thumbs up’ orientation. Once the hand isinserted in the glove, the suction pressure being applied to bothsuction cups 116, 122 can be deactivated, allowing the release of thesides 118, 120 of the gloves from the suction cups 116, 122, so that auser can retract a gloved hand from the apparatus. A view of the finalposition after the glove 14 has been dispensed is shown in FIG. 31(e).

Referring now to FIGS. 34 and 35, a further feature to improve theoperation of the head region 174 of the articulated arm 172 can be theuse of an optical sensor 182 which is mounted at the side of themounting bracket 176 in use as a means for detecting the position ofgloves 14 which are not evenly stacked and aligned in the cartridge 10when supplied. In one form, the optical sensor 182 can be a laserscanner, the output signals from which can be used to adjust therotational and angle pivoting of the head region 174 (that is, through a360 degree angle shown by Arrow B and up to a 90 degree angle as shownby Arrow A) so that the suction cup 116 located at the mounting bracket176 is able to be oriented to more evenly face onto the outer surface ofthe glove, or to be aligned with a physical feature of the gloves 14(for example, an edge cuff) and therefore to improve contact andretention of even misaligned stacked gloves 14 at the suction cup 116.

In all of the preceding embodiments, the representative shape of thedevices which contact and retain the glove at the articulated arm bymeans of air suction pressure are all representatively shown as being asuction cup 116, which has a square shaped front face. However, thesesuction devices may be embodied in many other forms appropriate to theretention of an object such as a disposable hand glove. For example, inFIG. 36, the suction pad 184 is shown mounted at right angles to thearticulated arm 172, and has an inverted T-shaped front face, which cansupport a glove when oriented sideways and ‘thumbs-up’ where, in use,the thumb part of the glove is retained at the uppermost narrow portion186 of the pad 184, and the (dorsal) main side of the glove 14 is heldat the main rectangular region 188 of the pad 184. In this example, thesurface of the pad 184 is smooth and has small air suction holes 185located around the perimeter. In FIG. 37, an alternative version of asuction device 190 is shown, which has the same overall T-shaped pad 190as the one shown in FIG. 36, but the suction holes 192 are larger andspaced evenly in rows over the whole pad 190 surface. In a still furtherrepresentative embodiment in FIG. 38, the surface area of the face ofthe pad 194 is smooth with small air suction holes 196 thereacross, andthe pad is in the shape of a whole glove hand, including suction holesto support the fingers of the gloves.

In circumstances where gloves are made available to the surface of suchsuction devices, all of the holes are covered by a face or finger of theglove, otherwise loss of vacuum will occur. It is envisaged that an airsuction mechanism which isolates any suction pad hole not aligned withor covered by a part of the glove is necessary, otherwise there may be aloss of vacuum through an unengaged hole.

In any of the embodiments described, the motion of the telescopic armsmay employ pneumatic pistons coupled to each arm and which respectivelyextend and retract to move the arms toward and away from each other. Inany of the embodiments described, instead of using a suction cup itwould also be possible to employ an adherent surface coating on the endsof the various moving arms or anchor points within the machine. As willbe understood, the adherent substance is sufficiently tacky for each ofthe gloves to adhere to the corresponding arm or anchor point so thatthe glove sides are drawn apart whereby the cuff of the glove is openedas the arms are subsequently moved apart from one another by an armdrive assembly.

As the adhesiveness of the afore-mentioned adherent substance coated onthe arms may gradually diminish after repeated glove opening operationsdue to the adherent substance being worn off or as a result of detritussticking to the surfaces, the arms can be removed and replaced by newarms having a fresh coating of adherent substance, or new panels orpieces fitted to the ends of the various arms with fresh adherentsubstance. Alternatively, each of the arms may be periodically removedfrom the glove dispensing apparatus and washed or otherwise cleaned toremove any unwanted foreign detritus that has accumulated on theadherent surface(s).

It is expected that the glove dispensing machine would be table-mountedor wall-mounted, which is more suitable for being on a bench in alaboratory, a food preparation area, or a surgical scrub area, surgeryetc. The machine in two forms shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 is a box-likedevice 160, which has a hand entry point 162 at the normal range ofstanding human hand height, as illustrated. The machine has frontwindows of glass or plastic 164 to enable a user 166 to see insideduring the glove opening process, as well as to know when to reloadboxes or cartridges as required. There is also a keypad or a touchscreen168 that would give information to the user (and the state of filling ofthe machine). In one form, there would be a proximity sensor beforewhich a user could motion their hand, and cause a glove to be dispensed.

In any of the embodiments described, to further enhance hygiene, atleast some glove dispensing machines 112, 126, 136 may further includeone or more ultraviolet (UV) light sources provided within the box-likehousing 160 for surface treatment of the gloves 14 with sterilizing UVlight (for example, UV light in a wavelength range of from 200 nm to 280nm and preferably, in the range of from 250 nm-280 nm). The UV lightsource(s) may, for instance, be selected from UV lamp(s) or UV lightemitting diodes (for example, UV LED strips including multiple spacedapart UV emitting LEDs). In one example, a UV LED strip can be mountedin the interior of the machine housing 160, facing the cartridge 10 ofundispensed gloves 14.

For safety reasons, the UV light source(s) is/are typically switched offduring the step of opening of the open (cuff) end 22 of the glove 14whilst the user's hand is located in the machine 112, 126, 136, andduring insertion of the hand into the glove 14. This can be achieved forexample when the proximity sensor or the touchscreen 168 is actuated.Desirably also, the UV light source(s) can only operate when a cover ofthe hand entry point 162 is closed. Further, in at least someembodiments, the duration of operation of the UV light source(s) iscontrolled by a control system, and may only be switched back on by thecontrol system after a predetermined period of time following detectionof the withdrawal of the user's hand from the hand entry point 162 by aproximity sensor as described above. However, any safe mode of operationof the UV light source(s) can be employed.

The gloves mentioned in this disclosure will be lightweight and mayinclude the sandwich gloves of the type commonly used in sandwich bars,delicatessens and like food outlets involving the handling andpreparation of food for a customer, however any suitable glove typewhereby the layers of the glove can adhere to, and be drawn apart, fordonning of the glove as described herein may be utilised. The glovesmay, for example, be polyethylene (PE), vinyl (polyvinyl chloride),nitrile (carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile) or polyester gloves.Typically, the gloves with be selected from lightweight, polyethylene(PE) gloves.

The apparatus described for dispensing gloves may also include arecognition system configured to recognise whether the cartridge ofgloves is a genuine, authorised product (i.e., an OEM cartridge) for usein the dispensing apparatus, or a non-genuine aftermarket item. In oneembodiment, the apparatus may only become operational after recognisingthe cartridge as being genuine. According to such a configuration, inone for more forms, the control system may implement a processor whichis communicable with an interrogation system operable to interrogate aninformation encoding device located on the product. Herein the term“processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can processinstructions based on programmed code and may include: a microprocessor,microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computationaldevice, a general-purpose computer (e.g., a PC) or a server.

In one embodiment, the interrogation system can comprise an RFID readerthat is controlled to read an information encoding device in the form ofan RFID tag (e.g., an RFID smart label) located on the cartridge (e.g.,affixed by a suitable adhesive). The RFID tag may be encoded with anydesired information that can be read by the RFID reader and subsequentlyinterpreted by the processor as being representative of a genuine glovecartridge. In an alternative embodiment, the information encoding devicemay comprise a QR code or barcode disposed on the cartridge and readableby an image scanner implemented by the processor. For example, the QRcode or barcode may be printed on respective of the gloves, or a labelbearing the QR code or barcode may be affixed to a leading one of thegloves in a position to be read by the image scanner as the line ofgloves is fed into position for dispensing of the gloves in use.However, any suitable arrangement or location of the informationencoding device on the cartridge of gloves is expressly encompassed. Itwill also be understood that the recognition system and informationencoding device should not be seen as being limited to those formsdescribed above and may comprise any suitable electronic orelectro-mechanical interrogation arrangement.

Additionally, the control system may further include suitablecommunications hardware and software for communicating with a remotesystem (e.g., via the Internet) for determining whether the informationextracted from the information encoding device is associated with agenuine cartridge of gloves. The remote system may, for example,implement a server computer system for receiving and sendingcommunications to the control system.

Further, the control system may be operable, under the control of theprocessor, to communicate with the remote system for glove orderingpurposes. For example, the processor may be communicable with a sensorthat detects and outputs a signal when a new cartridge of gloves hasbeen inserted into the dispenser. Responsive to detecting the sensorsignal, the processor may cause the control system to send acommunication to the remote system to indicate that a new cartridge ofgloves has been inserted into the dispenser. Responsive to receiving thecommunication, the remote system generates an order for dispatching oneor more new cartridges of the gloves to an address registered for thecorresponding glove dispensing apparatus (e.g., identified by an addressor other suitable identification information sent with thecommunication). In at least some embodiments, for instance, the remotesystem may count, or otherwise effect the recording of, the number ofglove cartridges inserted into the dispenser over a period of time(e.g., days or weeks), and place an order for dispatch of one or morenew glove cartridges (e.g., one or more boxes of new glove cartridges)for timely delivery to the registered address to ensure the registereduser of the dispenser does not run out of the disposable gloves, and hassufficient cartridges(s) of the gloves available to meet their needs.

From the above, it will be understood that at least some embodiments ofgloves and/or dispensing apparatus in accordance with the inventionprovide one or more of the following advantages.

-   -   The gloves can be rapidly and conveniently presented in an        opened condition for donning by the user.    -   The provision of the gloves in a cartridge as described herein        avoids multiple gloves being drawn from a box at the same time        as in the prior art.    -   The gloves can be opened and donned without the user touching        the exterior of the gloves with their bare hands, thereby        reducing the risk of contamination of the gloves and enhancing        hygiene.    -   The cartridge of gloves can be quickly loaded into the glove        opening apparatus.    -   The glove opening system provides an elegant solution for        opening of the gloves with a relatively low number of moveable        parts.

In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specificterminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, thedisclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms soselected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includesother technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner toaccomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “left” and right”,“front” and “rear”, “above” and “below” and the like are used as wordsof convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construedas limiting terms.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication orinformation is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement oradmission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication orinformation forms part of the common general knowledge in the field ofendeavor to which this specification relates.

In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its“open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limitedto its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. Acorresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words“comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of theinvention(s), and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changescan be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and notrestrictive.

Furthermore, invention(s) have described in connection with what arepresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the invention(s). Also, the various embodiments described abovemay be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspectsof one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment torealize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature orcomponent of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A machine arranged for dispensing adisposable glove, the machine comprising: an articulated arm arranged inuse for contacting and retaining a first part of the glove and formoving said glove from a first position in which the glove is located ina cartridge containing one or more gloves, to a second position in whicha second part of the said glove is able to be contacted with andretained by an anchoring means, wherein, once in the second position,one or both of the articulated arm or anchoring means is moveable in adirection relative the other, in use so as to stretch the glovesufficiently wide at an open end thereof to enable admission of a humanhand.
 2. A The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articulatedarm moves pivotally as it moves the glove to the second position.
 3. AThe machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchoring means isarranged at a support arm, which itself is moveable so as to move theanchoring means into the second position.
 4. A The machine as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the articulated arm is elongate, and is moveable in anaxial direction along its length, both toward and away from thecartridge.
 5. The machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein after the glovehas been moved from the first position, the cartridge is laterallymoveable out of alignment with the axial direction of movement of thearticulated arm.
 6. The machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidlateral movement of the cartridge exposes the anchoring means, theanchoring means being located in alignment with the axial direction ofmovement of the articulated arm.
 7. The machine as claimed in claim 6,wherein in use, further movement of the articulated arm along its saidaxial direction of movement and towards the anchoring means shall movesaid glove into the second position.
 8. The machine as claimed in claim7, wherein a head region of the articulated arm is joined to andpivotable about the axis of the articulated arm, to enable the headregion to be aligned with the orientation of the glove when the glove isin the first position, as part of moving said glove away from the firstposition.
 9. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the head regionof the articulated arm is fitted with an alignment sensing device toenable the head region to be aligned with a physical feature of theglove, to improve contact with and retention of the glove at thearticulated arm.
 10. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein thearticulated arm is elongate, and is moveable in an axial direction alongits length, one such movement being away from the cartridge, as part ofmoving the said glove away from the first position.
 11. The machine asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the contact and retention of the glove atthe articulated arm, or if applicable at a head region of thearticulated arm, is by means of a suction device, which uses airpressure to retain the respective first or second side of a glovethereto.
 12. The machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the contact andretention of the glove at the anchoring means is by means of a suctiondevice, which uses air pressure to retain the other of the respectivefirst or second side of a glove thereto.
 13. A method for dispensing adisposable glove, the method comprising the steps of: moving anarticulated arm to contact and retain a first part of the glove which islocated in a first position located in a cartridge; moving said gloveout of the cartridge toward a second position, in which a second part ofthe said glove is able to be contacted with and retained by an anchoringmeans; and wherein, once in the second position, the step of moving oneor both of the articulated arm or anchoring means in a directionrelative the other, in use so as to stretch the glove sufficiently wideat an open end thereof to enable admission of a human hand.
 14. Themethod as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of contacting andretaining the glove when in the first position at the articulated arm isachieved by the step of activation of a suction device.
 15. The methodas claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of moving the glove toward thesecond position is achieved by activation of the movement of thearticulated arm to cause it to pivot, or to cause it to move in adirection along its axial length.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 13,wherein the step of moving an articulated arm to contact and retain afirst part of the glove further includes pivoting a head region of thearticulated arm about the axis of the articulated arm so as to align thehead region with the glove, this step guided by an alignment sensingdevice to detect a physical feature of the glove.
 17. The method asclaimed in claim 16, wherein moving the glove into the second positionwhere a second part of the said glove is able to be contacted with andretained by an anchoring means includes the step of rotation of an axisof the head region of the articulated arm which is carrying said gloveinto alignment with an axis of orientation of the anchoring means. 18.The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein moving the glove into thesecond position where a second part of the said glove is in contact withand retained by the anchoring means comprises the step of moving thearticulated arm and head region in a direction towards the anchoringmeans.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the contact andretention of the glove in the second position at the anchoring means isachieved by the step of activation of a suction device.